Hands free waste container

ABSTRACT

A kitchen trash container system wherein a trash container drawer is movable within and without an enclosure, such as a kitchen sink cabinet. A latch type member is positioned at the lower portion of the drawer, activation of the latch member by a user causing the trash drawer to move outwardly with the assistance of a spring member from the cabinet along a pair of rail members. When the trash container drawer reaches it outward extent, trash can be removed or deposited in the container. Thereafter, the user pushes the trash drawer into position within the cabinet. A pulley type system within the enclosure connects the drawer to a member positioned at the rear of the enclosure to move and the drawer between open and closed positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention provides a waste collection system wherein a covered waste container is stored in a movable draw-like member positioned within a kitchen sink cabinet.

2. Description of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,702, invented by the inventor of the invention disclosed herein, discloses a kitchen trash container system wherein a trash container is covered when it is within a kitchen sink cabinet enclosure and wherein the cover automatically opens when the trash container is caused to move outwardly from the cabinet. A latch type member is positioned at the lower portion of the housing, activation of the latch member by a user causing the trash container to move outwardly from the cabinet along a rail member, the cover portion opening during movement of the trash container. When the trash container reaches its outward extent, the cover is in the full open position and enables trash to be deposited in the container. Thereafter, the user pushes the trash container back into position within the cabinet, the cover automatically closing on top of the trash container.

Although the invention disclosed in the '702 patent operates satisfactorily, the system requires numerous components which increases the overall cost and complexity of the waste container.

What is therefore desired is to provide a waste container system that is less expensive and wherein the reliability is increased when compared to prior art waste container systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved kitchen trash container system wherein a trash container drawer is moved without and within a cabinet enclosure, such as a kitchen sink, using a compression spring in combination with an elongated member which connects the drawer to a member within the enclosure.

The trash container drawer moves along on a pair of rails having first and second ends mounted within the cabinet and is initially positioned therein. A vertically extending cylindrically shaped member positioned within the cabinet adjacent the front of the cabinet has an elongated member coupled to a pulley at the top of the member, one end of the member being connected to the front portion of the trash container drawer, the other end connected to a support member mounted within the rear portion of the cabinet, the first end of said rails being supported on the top surface of the support member. A spring member is mounted on the side of the bar member and extends toward the first end of the rail members. A latch member positioned at the lower front end of the cabinet maintains the trash container drawer within the cabinet until the latch member is released by a user, the spring member pushing the trash container drawer away from the interior of the cabinet such that the trash container is visible to the user. Pushing the trash container drawer towards the bar member causes the latch member to reengage the trash container drawer whereby the trash container is once again within the interior of the cabinet. The elongated member provides the tension necessary so that the trash container drawer is maintained in the proper position as it moves along the rails. In addition, the spring member in combination with the elongated member, provides the force that moves the drawer outwardly from the cabinet interior. The trash container drawer, in another embodiment, has a shelf formed at the end adjacent the cabinet cover and allows various items to be supported on the shelf.

The trash container of the present invention thus provides a reliable, cost effective method of storing and removing trash from a cabinet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet incorporating the trash container system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the cabinet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 with the cabinet drawer for the trash removed;

FIG. 4 is a view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 5 with the trash container drawer of the present invention in the open position;

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 with an addition of a shelf to hold various cleaning items;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view showing the trash container drawer of the present invention under a kitchen sink in a closed position; and

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the trash container drawer of the present invention under a kitchen sink in the open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a trash container drawer 12 adapted to be positioned under cabinet 10 is illustrated (note that the trash container system of the present invention can be adapted to be used as a stand alone item as shown or under a kitchen sink cabinet as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). Drawer 12 is positioned flush with portion 14 of cabinet 10, as shown, or moved outwardly to a full open position as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 3 illustrates the interior of cabinet 10 with drawer 12 removed. Mounted within the interior of cabinet 10 are two vertically extending cylindrically shaped members 21 and 23 having a pulley 22 secured to the top of member 21. An elongated member, such as cord 20, extends inside member 23 and wraps around pulley 24; one end of cord 20 being coupled to point 30 on horizontal member 32 cooperating with spring 42 to force drawer 12 to the outward position shown in FIG. 7. Cord 20 extends down within member 21, a weight 25 (approximately two pounds) being attached to the cord end therewithin. The weighted cord 20 along with pulleys 22 and 24 provide a simplified system for controlling the movement of drawer 12.

FIG. 5 shows in detail trash drawer 12, drawer 12 comprising upper portion 60, side portions 62 and 64 and bottom portion 66. Bottom portion 66 of drawer 12 is supported on the inside surfaces of rails 36 and 38 and a bottom plate formed on the inner surface of vertical wall 70. A trash container 72 is positioned within drawer 12 as illustrated.

The other end of cord 20 is connected to horizontal bar member 34. A pair of guide rail members 36 and 38 cooperate with two slides 40 (only one slide is illustrated), slide 40 engaging guide rail members 36 and 38 to allow drawer 12 to move in and out of the interior portion of cabinet 10 in a conventional manner. Spring member 42 is secured to the inner surface 44 of horizontal bar member 34 to enable drawer 12 to exit the interior of cabinet 10 when a user engages pedal 50 as will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In particular, latch member 54 is provided to enable drawer 12 to be moved outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 7 when a user depresses, typically with the foot, pedal member 50.

FIG. 6 provides more detail of the mechanism used to release the trash drawer 12 from the cabinet 10. In particular, a foot pedal 50 is connected by link member 74 to plunger mechanism 76. When drawer 12 is in the closed position, plunger 76 forces connected link member 78 to engage latch 54. When it is desired to withdraw drawer 12 from cabinet 10, a user presses down on pedal lever 50 causing member 78 to move away from latch 54 in a conventional manner.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the situation wherein the drawer 12 is in the fully open position, allowing trash container 72 to receive trash. FIG. 8 is a modification of the design shown in FIG. 7 in that trash container 72 is held within an enclosure 81 that has a portion 82 adapted to hold various items, such as cleaning liquids.

In operation, and assuming the trash drawer 12 is in the fully closed position as shown in FIG. 5, a user desiring to dispose of trash steps on pedal 50 releasing the trash drawer 12 from engagement with the surrounding cabinet. Spring 42 and the weighted cord 20 force trash drawer 12, guided by a conventional drawer rail system comprising rails 36 and 38, towards the fully open position. When the user finishes depositing trash in container 72, drawer member 12 is moved towards the inner portion of cabinet 10.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating cabinet 10 positioned under the right handed sink portion 92 of conventional kitchen sink module 90 as illustrated. Drawer 12 is shown in the closed position.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with drawer 12 in the open, or extended, position.

While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings. 

1. A hands free waste container system comprising: a waste container positioned on a movable drawer member within a cabinet enclosure; a waste receptacle positioned on said drawer; first and second vertically extending members positioned within said enclosure means; a first pulley system coupled to said first vertically extending member; a second pulley system mounted to a surface of said enclosure; and a member operatively coupled to said first and second pulley systems for forcing said waste container drawer away from said cabinet enclosure upon activation of a release member by a user.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein said waste container is positioned below a kitchen sink.
 3. The container of claim 1 further including a spring member mounted to a bar member formed within said enclosure.
 4. The container of claim 3 further including a coupling member having first and second ends, said first end being attached to said drawer member, said second end of said coupling member extending from said second pulley system upwardly into said second vertically extending member and then downwardly into said first vertically extending member, the second end of coupling member having a weight attached thereto. 